She also went German DD hunting at D-day, getting her part done at Ushant. For those interested more in depth in her service, check out Drachinifels YouTube episode on her.
Seems all the Poles did more than their fair share. Their aviators in the RAF 303 distinguished themselves as well. Glad they're on our side these days.
Good article. I'd only make a wish that anyone mentioning the start of WW2 add that it was Hitler _and_ Stalin who agreed to carve up and share Poland; i.e. that both leaders share responsibilty for the war. This historical fact is vitally important to know in the context of our current era.
Many of the "London Poles" didn't go home to death or a labor camp for picking the wrong side. On the other hand, they were abused by the post-war Labor government and at least one general dug ditches to feed himself. Gen Stanisław Franciszek Sosabowski (Gene Hackman) of "A Bridge too Far" fame worked on an assembly line.
She had actually only 7 guns, the foremost turret housing single gun. Mid-war the guns were replaced with 4x2 4 inch British dual purpose guns due to lack of swedish ammo for the original guns.
It gives me joy to see that USS Wadsworth (FFG-9), which I had the privilege to serve aboard 1982-1986, is still on active duty as ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko (F-273) in the Polish Navy.
"Blysykawica was armed with four twin 120mm guns as her main offensive armament, triple torpedo tubes, four side depth charge throwers, two stern depth charge tracks and two mines, in addition to her impressive anti-aircraft battery consisting of one twin 40mm Bofors gun, 3 twin 37mm guns and two single 37mm anti-aircraft guns, ten anti-aircraft weapons in total."
I know very little about ships -- grew up in St. Louis, about as far from the sea as you can get. To me, the ocean is a huge toilet full of monsters. but even I can understand, that is a DESTROYER. As in, will DESTROY things.
I know some stuff about the incredible courage of the Poles, in exile, especially their contributions to codebreaking. Did the Polish ships have any ammo? Could the British supply ordnance for their guns, or did it have to be specially made because metric or something?
As a kid, I had a book, "Adventure Stories for Boys!" One story was about a Polish submarine caught in the Harbor on Sep1, 1939, and having to stay submurged and creep out, blind with no sonar, out of the harbor to the Baltic over the course of three or five days with no food and breathable air running low.
I was too young to understand the context but that convinced me: the Poles are insanely tough MF-ers, and I never, never, never want to be on a submarine.
We should suspect there is a formal list being kept somewhere of who in the Pentagon gets the axe, who takes their place, and who is on probation awaiting either their full cooperation or their lack thereof.
Nice combat record!
She also went German DD hunting at D-day, getting her part done at Ushant. For those interested more in depth in her service, check out Drachinifels YouTube episode on her.
Seems all the Poles did more than their fair share. Their aviators in the RAF 303 distinguished themselves as well. Glad they're on our side these days.
Full Bore Saaa-lute.
were they the Poles featured in "Battle of Britain" e.g. private Polish chit-chat? I think so
https://youtu.be/lAx92nlkSr4?t=21
and a plug for the Polish Airborne Brigade at Arnhem.
Good article. I'd only make a wish that anyone mentioning the start of WW2 add that it was Hitler _and_ Stalin who agreed to carve up and share Poland; i.e. that both leaders share responsibilty for the war. This historical fact is vitally important to know in the context of our current era.
Agreed. Never give communists the benefit of the doubt.
https://img.ifunny.co/images/136cd84b96adb8c8167037e510cef1864fee19996c89eed364cec32274141791_1.jpg
Or territory.
Imagine having fought alongside with the Allies and then having to subjugate yourself to communism.
Many of the "London Poles" didn't go home to death or a labor camp for picking the wrong side. On the other hand, they were abused by the post-war Labor government and at least one general dug ditches to feed himself. Gen Stanisław Franciszek Sosabowski (Gene Hackman) of "A Bridge too Far" fame worked on an assembly line.
Another nice pull. And the obligatory clicking of links and travel down the rabbit hole found this;
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojciech_Francki
It appears the skipper could have his own fullbore.
(It appears the accident of geography created some very overlooked warriors in that part of the world.)
Good looking ship. Wish the sides on our much newer Arleigh Burkes looked that good.
FWIW -
Both Grom and Blyskavica are enshrined in the naval shooter game World of Warships.
As games go, it's not a particularly realistic representation of naval combat, but it's fun.
Yup, I find the game nice little destressing toy. They are adding 1944 version of Błyskawica this year.
Other factiods:
Błyskawica = Lighting
When launched she was perhaps the fastest (39kts) and best armed (8 4.7in guns) destroyer around
the only ship to have received Poland's highest award. Virtuti Militari
She had actually only 7 guns, the foremost turret housing single gun. Mid-war the guns were replaced with 4x2 4 inch British dual purpose guns due to lack of swedish ammo for the original guns.
I think her design influenced RN Tribal class.
These were launched in 1936. First Tribal was launched in 1937. More likely inspired by the large French destroyers or Fubuki class.
US Porter class with 8x5" also proceeded this class by about a year
I asked about ammo in a comment before I saw this; good info, thanks.
It gives me joy to see that USS Wadsworth (FFG-9), which I had the privilege to serve aboard 1982-1986, is still on active duty as ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko (F-273) in the Polish Navy.
Burza was successful too. She depthcharged and forced to the surface U-606, subsequently rammed and sunk by USCGC Campbell.
And now Poland is setting the example regarding defense spending as a percent of GDP. How about it, France and Germany?
"Blysykawica was armed with four twin 120mm guns as her main offensive armament, triple torpedo tubes, four side depth charge throwers, two stern depth charge tracks and two mines, in addition to her impressive anti-aircraft battery consisting of one twin 40mm Bofors gun, 3 twin 37mm guns and two single 37mm anti-aircraft guns, ten anti-aircraft weapons in total."
I know very little about ships -- grew up in St. Louis, about as far from the sea as you can get. To me, the ocean is a huge toilet full of monsters. but even I can understand, that is a DESTROYER. As in, will DESTROY things.
I know some stuff about the incredible courage of the Poles, in exile, especially their contributions to codebreaking. Did the Polish ships have any ammo? Could the British supply ordnance for their guns, or did it have to be specially made because metric or something?
As a kid, I had a book, "Adventure Stories for Boys!" One story was about a Polish submarine caught in the Harbor on Sep1, 1939, and having to stay submurged and creep out, blind with no sonar, out of the harbor to the Baltic over the course of three or five days with no food and breathable air running low.
I was too young to understand the context but that convinced me: the Poles are insanely tough MF-ers, and I never, never, never want to be on a submarine.
The axes are falling.
We should suspect there is a formal list being kept somewhere of who in the Pentagon gets the axe, who takes their place, and who is on probation awaiting either their full cooperation or their lack thereof.
Good article, greetings from the home of USS North Carolina BB-55